Home Theatre Brochure by Michael Lee

HOME THEATRE what you need to know

INTRODUCTION welcome to the movies...

how do I get there...?

Home Theatre isn’t new. It began back in the ‘20s and ‘30s when Hollywood’s elite built small screening

This brochure is your first step towards enjoying a home theatre system. In it, you’ll find questions to ask

rooms in their homes so they could view the films they had just produced, directed, or starred in.

yourself before ever going into a store. We’ll explain those often-obscure acronyms and the technology they represent so you’ll be comfortable when looking for specific answers to your needs.

Even though they were luxurious, early “home theatres” were complex and intimidating. The moguls who enjoyed them kept technicians on staff to run the noisy and cantankerous projectors of the day.

Before we begin, however, we do have a suggestion. At some point, you’ll need to consult with a sales specialist at a store or showroom that sells home theatre equipment. In our experience, independent

Technology has come a long way. Today, home theatre systems are far more convenient, far more

dealers or custom installation specialists usually have more knowledgeable, more experienced people

accessible, and far more reliable. And, thanks to the efforts of literally thousands of engineers, design-

than do large mega-stores that sell everything from portable stereos to PCs.

ers, and installers, they’re far more capable, too. Whatever your budget, the independent dealer will be more apt to listen and be more responsive to your A good home theatre system will provide hours of enjoyment for you and your family as it literally immers-

needs. That’s critically important as you make the decisions you’ll need to make before you can enjoy a

es you in sights and sounds once reserved for the very finest first-run movie houses. A home theatre

system in your home.

system can also help create just the right environment to enjoy your favourite movies by adjusting lighting, closing curtains, even turning on the popcorn machine! For the music lover, a home theatre system

With that in mind, let’s get started . . .

will also reproduce your favourite recordings with startling fidelity.

CONTENTS 4

SOME BASIC QUESTIONS the component advantage the room it goes in people live here, too, don’t they? THE VIDEO SIDE OF HOME THEATRE what you’ll see when is ‘big’ really ‘big enough’? composite, s-, and component video signals

SURROUNDED BY SPEAKERS what you’ll hear what you’ll need where to put them the subwoofer but wait, there’s more...

THE ELECTRONICS separates are better the surround processor inputs and outputs surround sound formats what’s important the power amplifier

RELAX Your specialist - saudio/video dealer

SOME BASIC QUESTIONS the component advantage Sit down for a moment and think about what you really want.

THE VIDEO SIDE OF HOME THEATRE what you’ll see Once you’ve decided on the best room, you can begin to figure out what you’re going to need to complete the home theatre system of your dreams and just where you’ll place everything.

Is it a full-scale dedicated theatre room with custom seating, lights that dim automatically when you press “Play,” curtains that sweep into place to block

You’ll probably begin by thinking about the TV screen. That’s natural, but you need to think about the speak-

distracting sunlight, an extensive loudspeaker array, and the latest video

ers and electronics too. After all, a great picture and mediocre sound isn’t what you really want, is it?

projector?

First, decide which type of TV will best answer your needs. There are several choices listed below.

Or is it a generic “home theatre in a box” system that you can hook up in

Do you want a conventionally shaped display? These sets have screens that are nearly square and,

an hour or so. After all, that’s better than a VCR connected to a TV, isn’t it?

because of that, have an “aspect ratio” (width compared to height) of 4:3 or “4 units wide by 3 units high.”

If you’re like most of us, you’re probably aiming at something between

The new “widescreen” displays, in contrast, are much wider than they are high. Their aspect ratio is 16:9

these extremes. After all, a dedicated room is a luxury few of us have and

and they resemble small movie screens – no accident there!

the compromised performance typical of most all-in-one systems simply isn’t that exciting. That leaves a component system – one composed of carefully chosen separate yet complementary pieces like a DVD player, amplifier, surround processor, etc. – as your best choice. With a component system, you can

A “direct view” TV

find the performance typical of the finest custom-installed theatres and the

used to. Direct view sets usually produce a great picture. They’re also

operating convenience that is supposed to be – but often isn’t – the hall-

relatively immune to other light sources: They’ll give you the same pic-

mark of the all-in-one approach. In addition, separate components offer

ture quality in a dim or brightly lit room. Size may be a consideration

significant advantages in flexibility as well as an easier upgrade path when

for you. The largest direct view TVs now have screens measuring 40

the time comes (as it eventually will) to improve your system even more.

inches (100cm) and may well deliver the sheer visual impact you want.

is the conventional television we’re all

“Rear projector”

sets, which is one-piece, large

screen sets offer the best compromise between large direct view

the room it goes in

sets and front projector systems. Their screen size (40 inches or 100cm and greater) is very attractive to many and they are far less affected by bright lighting than are front projectors.

Once you’ve reached this point, you need to think about where your new home theatre is going to go. You have three things to consider: what the room will be used for besides your home theatre, the acoustics of that room or how it will influence sound quality and the sightlines from those preferred

“Front projector”

seats to the screen you’re going to watch everything on.

sets (projector and separate screen) the ultimate in dramatic picture

sets is considered these two-piece

quality. Their main advantage? They can project a BIG image – in some cases, more than 100 inches (250cm) measured diagonally.

people live here, too, don’t they?

Disadvantages? For best picture quality, they must be used in rooms with very dim ambient lighting. Fan noise (front projectors, particularly CRT-based units, tend to get warm!) may be intrusive.

Where do you want your home theatre system? In the family room? In the

And remember to pay attention to the screen you choose, too. It will

living room? How is it going to affect other family members when the vol-

have a major impact on picture quality.

ume’s up? That’s one reason why putting your new system in the room next to the baby’s bedroom may not be such a good idea.

“Flat screen” sets as self-contained displays are the new

How will the room you’ve chosen be used when the home theatre system

“hot ticket” to home theatre enjoyment. Some are up to 60 inches

isn’t on? Will it be a reading area? A study? What kind of furniture will

(150cm) wide and are thin enough to hang on a wall, a major cosmetic

you have in the room? Will there be enough comfortable chairs or sofas so

advantage. Picture quality, while not yet up to the best direct view and

everyone can enjoy your new system when you put it on?

front projector models, is still very good. The downside? Primarily cost – they are expensive but the prices are declining.

when is ‘big’ really ‘big enough’? In addition, you should understand something about resolution, or the display’s ability to reveal fine details.

There are no hard and fast rules governing the relationship between room size and screen size. Remember that bigger (screen size, that is) is not always better.

In most of North America, resolution is currently limited by broadcast and cable signals that adhere to the NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) analogue standard. This means that TV pictures contain 525 scan lines, of

The old guideline (for NTSC sources, of course) was that you should sit at a distance 10 times greater than

which 480 are visible. Horizontal resolution for analogue signals is described in terms of lines, which equate to pixels in

the screen’s height. For persons with “normal” eyesight, this was far enough away so that the scan lines

a digital signal. For standard NTSC there are 330 lines or pixels.

were not visible.

Many other areas in the world (particularly Western Europe, the U.K., Australia, and South Africa) use a video standard

However, “hi def” (high definition) video sources changed this. Hi def sources have more – and usually far

called PAL (Phase Alternate by Line). France and most of Eastern Europe, by way of contrast, use a system called

narrower – scan lines than NTSC sources. This means you can sit closer to the screen and not see them.

SECAM (in English, Sequential Colour with Memory). Both PAL and SECAM broadcasts deliver better resolution than

In addition, hi def’s aspect ratio (16:9 as opposed to 4:3) makes screen width more important than height.

NTSC, both having 576 visible scan lines out of a total of 625.

With most hi def sources, you can sit just 3 times the screen width away and enjoy a fine picture.

The three systems are incompatible, but you can buy dual-standard NTSC/PAL TVs and external converters are avail-

For these reasons, we suggest that you consult your dealer or installer before making an arbitrary decision

able.

on the screen size you “should “ have. As you can see, your best choice may be very different from what a quick measurement of available wall space might indicate.

In North America, next-generation digital television is already available as a broadcast either directly from a terrestrial transmitter or from a satellite. (DTV over cable is probably a long way off in the future.) There are other considerations you should be aware of in addition to resolution. Your dealer can explain The situation in the rest of the world is less well defined at present. Japan, after introducing a high definition analogue

the details but here are a few quick comments:

standard, abandoned it to research a digital alternative. Europe is currently enmeshed in techno-political discussions about high-definition TV, but standard definition digital signals are already available via satellite, cable and from terrestri-

Interlaced and progressive scanning: There are two different ways a TV “draws” an image on a screen.

al broadcast in several countries. To view them, you need either a digital TV or a set-top box converter. In the first, the TV draws two halves of a complete picture separately. The first half (called a “field”) consists of the odd numbered scanning lines. The second field consists of the even-numbered lines. The fields are drawn one after the other so quickly that our brain integrates these two fields into a single picture or “frame.” We call this an “interlaced” image because we create it by interlacing odd and even lines to form one complete likeness. All NTSC, PAL/SECAM and many DTV signals (North America only at present) are interlaced. A “progressive” image, on the other hand, is drawn all at once. There are no odd- and even-numbered “fields” to integrate, just a series of whole images continuously followed by other whole images. All computer monitors use progressive scanning. Some DTV signals (again, North America only) are progressive NTSC PAL SECAM NTSC & DTV

also. Progressive scanning usually produces clearer pictures of fast moving events (a soccer game, for example, or the chase scene from an action movie) than interlaced scanning can. Many people prefer it for that reason.

Regardless of how you receive it, DTV will come in three variants – SDTV, EDTV, and HDTV. SDTV, or standard definition television doesn't convey any more basic detail than NTSC, PAL or SECAM signals, but is noticeably better, primarily due to the fact that its digital format is less prone to signal degradation and consequent corruption than analogue-based formats. SDTV is best suited to small or medium screen sizes. EDTV (enhanced definition TV) delivers visibly better pictures than analogue. In North America it provides 480 visible scanning lines, each containing 640 pixels. Digitally transmitted programmes in Europe use the extra scanning lines that PAL and SECAM provide, with the capability of over 700 horizontal pixels in widescreen format. This additional detail looks pretty impressive on a larger screen. (This is, incidentally, even better than DVD’s potential.) HDTV (high definition TV) will deliver a truly stunning picture with up to 1080 scanning lines, each with a potential of up to 1920 pixels! That’s far better resolution than you’ll find with either NTSC or lower-resolution digital TV sources. HDTV signals rival the quality of movie film when displayed properly. 6

composite, s-, and component video signals These formats, used primarily to get a video signal from one component to another, have implications beyond the merely practical. Before outlining some of the differences between them, you should know that video information falls into two main categories – luminance (brightness) and chrominance (colour).

A composite video signal combines both luminance and chrominance for transmission through a single coaxial cable. Unfortunately, this reduces the signal’s

A composite video cable looks just like an audio cable. However,

ability to convey fine detail. Although convenient,

both the cable itself and the con-

composite video signals are the least desirable in a

nector are optimised for video.

high quality home theatre system. Almost every

Composite video cable – focus on

video component has composite signal connections.

RCA connector

An S-Video signal separates the luminance and chrominance portions of the signal. The result is improved detail and resolution. However, S-Video

A single S-Video cable is actually several cables in one. That’s because the S-

signals lose some of this advantage over longer

Video format separates brightness

distances. Many video components have S-Video

and colour information. S-Video

connections.

cable - focus on DIN connector

Component video signals are similar to the RGB (red, green, blue) format used by video professionals. That’s why a component video connection is the best

You’ll need three separate signal

way to go IF your video sources AND your TV are

paths to get one component video

equipped with the three-connector terminations need-

signal from your DVD player, for example, to your monitor.

ed to send component video signals from one piece

Component video cable – focus on

of equipment to another.

triple RCA connectors

SCART, a signal transfer format popular in Europe, uses a single cable terminated by a computer-style 25 pin connector. Although convenient, the picture quality of a SCART

SCART is a convenient way to connect a source (VCR or DVD

connection can vary depending on the exact SCART

player, for example) to a TV.

cable used. In addition, surround processors and

However, SCART is less useful in

receivers, and video projectors lack SCART sockets,

a multi-component home theatre

thus making this format less desirable for a high

system. SCART video cable – focus on multi-pin connector.

quality multi-component home theatre system.

SURROUNDED BY SPEAKERS what you’ll hear

where to put them

If your display screen is the visual centre of your home theatre system, your favourite chair or sofa is the focus for what

Although placing six speakers in one room may seem difficult at first, it is surprisingly easy if you follow a few simple

you’ll hear. That’s very important because it dictates how you need to place your loudspeakers so you can hear movie

guidelines.

soundtracks as the directors and sound engineers intended you to. Fortunately, the same principals also apply to music,so you can enjoy both films and an audio recording through the same speakers.

First, your main Left and Right speakers (we’ll call them L and R from now on) should flank whatever TV screen you’ve chosen. If you plan to use your system primarily to watch movies, place them along the same wall as the dis-

Home theatre systems usually begin with a “5.1” speaker array. This simply means five full range speakers (Left,

play so that they’ll form a 45° angle when viewed from your viewing/listening position. (Angles up to 60° may be nec-

Centre, and Right at the front with Left Surround and Right Surround at the back) and one limited-range subwoofer for

essary depending on room size, screen size, and distance from screen to listening/viewing position. In fact, we rec-

bass reproduction only.

ommend a 60° spread if you’re going to be listening to a lot of music through your system.) Ideally, both speakers will be at equal distances from each side of the screen to assure good integration of image and sound.

Notice that we said “ . . . begin with a ‘5.1’ speaker array.” That’s important. Some new surround sound formats like Dolby Digital EX sound best with two more full range speakers at the rear of your theatre space. We’ll get to them shortly. For now, let’s stick with 5.1. Diagram 1 This is the best “movie” angle as it duplicates the speaker placement on a “dubbing stage” where movie soundtracks are mixed.

Diagram 2 If you’re a music aficionado, consider moving your main speakers further away from the video display.

The Centre Channel speaker (C from now on) should be as close to your TV screen as possible – either directly under or directly over it – and at the same distance from your favourite chair as the main speakers.

what you’ll need Your dealer can show you a number of options from large floor-standing speakers through smaller stand-or shelfmounted models to in-wall speakers. Although most larger freestanding speakers have sonic advantages when compared with small or in-wall designs, they are more intrusive aesthetically. Regardless of which type you choose, however, listen carefully to several models before you decide. Speakers are very democratic and treat all audio signals exactly the same way, be they Sibelius quartets or Spielberg sci-fi flicks. You want a speaker that is as neutral and faithful to the original sound as possible, simply because you want to hear the source, not the speaker.

Diagram 3 This is ideal but not always possible.

Your home theatre speakers should all come from the same manufacturer if at all possible. That’s your best assurance that each one will have approximately the same tonal balance (sometimes called timbre) as the others. The benefit here is that you’ll hear the same quality of sound regardless of which speaker is generating it. 10

the subwoofer A subwoofer (usually called a “sub”) is a loudspeaker specifically designed to reproduce only low bass sounds. One of the characteristics of bass information is that it is difficult to identify just where it comes from. That’s why some people describe bass as “non-directional.” Although this isn’t true in the strict sense, it’s close enough to give us some choice when we’re trying to place a sub in a home theatre room.

Placing Surround speakers (LS and RS for Left Surround and Right Surround respectively) is often surprisingly easy.

Getting the most out of a sub demands a decent working knowledge of room acoustics (how rooms influence the sound you hear). If you’re like most of us, you have neither the time nor the inclination to master this

Surround speakers come in two general types: dipoles

rather arcane topic. The good news is that you don’t have to! Your dealer already has . . . and will be

which create a very diffused and non-directional surround

delighted to impress you with a few “magic tricks” – one of which is finding exactly the right spot for your sub

effect, and direct radiating speakers (sometimes called

so you can just settle back and enjoy the results.

monopoles) that produce a far more specific sense of where surround information comes from. Some movie aficionados still prefer dipoles but most experts now recommend direct radiating speakers. To be

Diagram 4

fair, dipoles were preferred in home theatre's early days

Directional Surround speakers let you pinpoint the apparent

when Dolby Surround’s single surround channel was all

origin of sounds. This particular set-up is optimised for

that was available. Now that Dolby Digital, DTS, and other

music enjoyment.

surround sound formats have at least two surround channels, dipoles no longer present the advantage they once did. There’s no argument that direct radiators are far preferred by knowledgeable audiophiles for multi-channel music reproduction in the home. A final consideration is that placement requirements – often a point of concern for décor-conscious people – are not as restrictive for direct radiators as they are for dipoles. The best place for direct radiating surround speakers is really dependent on the shape of your room, the location of

but wait, there’s more...

the prime seating area, and the type of enjoyment – movies or music – you consider most important. For movie watching, side wall placement works well in

Diagram 5 Dipole speakers create a very spacious but non-specific

Although you now know the basics of speaker placement for the typical “5.1” home theatre system, there is a bit

feeling of ambience.

more to cover before we move on to the electronics.

some rooms, rear wall placement in others. In all cases, you should avoid aiming the surround speakers directly at

You may have noticed that some home theatres are advertised as “6.1” and “7.1” systems. Unfortunately, there

your listening/viewing position. Ideally, your surround

is no small amount of confusion about what constitutes each. The same system, in fact, can often be termed

speakers will be mounted above ear level.

either “6.1” or “7.1”! So don’t worry about the details just yet. Just remember that these systems require more speakers than we’ve introduced you to already.

If you’re going to listen to a lot of multi-channel music, you might consider placing the surround speakers on the rear

Although some of these “6.1/7.1” systems use cutting-edge technology to provoke “ooohs” and “aaahs” from

wall closer to the room’s corners. In general, surround-for-

enthusiasts, we can say for certain that a well-executed “5.1” system is so impressive that many don’t need – or

music speakers can be mounted lower on the wall than is

don’t have room enough for – any more speakers. However, if you’ve decided to put the very best home the-

best for movie-only use. (Diagram 4 )

atre system in a particularly large room, you will want to consider a “6.1/7.1” system.

Dipoles work best when placed well above ear level

That being said, here’s what you need to know. Most “6.1/7.1” systems add speakers to the rear of the room

against the side walls of your home theatre room.

(and slightly more complex electronics, of course) to provide a “Centre Surround” channel that places some sur-

As you can see . . .(Diagram 5 )

round information directly behind us in addition to that already coming from the regular surround channels of a

. . . they produce more sound to the front and rear of the

normal “5.1” system. This can improve the sense of envelopment we normally experience from just two sur-

room but not much to their sides. That’s why you can’t

Diagram 6

easily locate the origin of the sounds they produce.

A “6.1/7.1” system adds speakers at the rear of your home

round channels. In addition, the Centre Surround channel gives movie directors and sound engineers a better way to add very specific spatial information to the soundtrack when they need to do so. (Diagram 6)

theatre room to reproduce “Centre Surround” information centained in whatever source you are playing.

THE ELECTRONICS separates are better As we mentioned previously, you can buy a generic all-in-one home theatre system. Ultimately, however, most people tire of the less than stellar performance – particularly that of the speakers – sooner than they thought they would. And when you want to upgrade or add capabilities, these “home theatre in a box” systems are severely disadvantaged. That’s why we suggest separate components as a more intelligent way to go. In addition to substantially better performance, individual components allow you to upgrade or add to your system on a step-by-step basis to protect your investment better and to keep you at the forefront of enjoyment. All component systems include sources – a satellite converter, DVD player, cable box, VCR, etc. – that let you access a program, a movie, or a music recording of some sort. For many people, the next component is a receiver, a single unit that includes connections for all your sources, switching capability so you can watch and listen to the source you want, a built-in AM and FM tuner so you can hear your favourite radio broadcasts, very sophisticated digital signal processing (often abbreviated to DSP), to decode the various surround sound formats (more about them in a page or two), and, finally, a multi-channel power amplifier to provides the power you need to get all of your speakers into the act when you need them.

If that sounds like a lot of “stuff” going on in one box, you’re right! In fact, a receiver is probably the single most complex piece of equipment in any home theatre system. But receivers are very convenient spacesavers and a number of people choose one for just this reason. The good news here is that receivers can provide excellent performance. The not-quite-so-good news is that, once again, your upgrade or add-on potential is limited simply because a receiver includes everything so changing anything means a new receiver! There is an answer to this dilemma – the “full separates” approach. This replaces a receiver with a surround processor/preamplifier, a power amplifier, and, if you want one, a tuner. Not only do these individual components provide even better performance than a receiver can – particularly in the power amplifier department – but also they allow you to tailor a system precisely to your needs. As for future upgrades, separate components provide the easiest way by far to improve your system.

the surround processor The nerve-centre of your home theatre, the surround processor connects everything in your system. Sources (DVD and CD players, VCRs, satellite and cable boxes, etc.) plug into the processor to deliver both audio and video information, some of it analogue in nature, some digital. Most of the time, the digital signals are encoded

Almost everything connects with RCA-style Analogue Audio

in some way. Although you have the option of telling the processor what to do with each signal, some more

connectors. Pictures : RCA cable and rear panel jack

advanced models figure things out on their own and decode signals automatically. Once your processor decodes the signal you’ve selected, it routes images to your TV, and sends the audio portion on to your amplifier and, once there, to your speakers. You’ll see 3-pin XLR-style connectors on Many processors let you select different sources to be sent to different areas of your home. Most also give you

occasion but these are rare.

ways to modify or enhance the audio portion of the signal in some way to make it more pleasing or more enjoyable

Pictures : XLR cable and rear panel jack.

to you. You should know that many processors convert even analogue audio signals to digital before they send them through the active circuitry. (Digital signals are left as digital.) After the processor performs all necessary decoding,

Many components use a fibre optic

a digital-to-analogue conversion stage then transitions the signal back to analogue so an amplifier can use it.

connector called a TOSlink. Some digital Digital Audio

Video signals, on the other hand, most often remain analogue all the way from source to display. (In case you are

audio connections use special coaxial cables (with RCA jacks) that are optimised for digital.

wondering, DVD players put out an analogue video signal even though the information on the disc itself is digital.)

Pictures : Toslink cable and rear panel jack.

What To Look For : (see opposite page)

We’ve already shown you the various types Video

of video connectors. Look on page 9 for a quick refresher.

inputs and outputs

Make a list of everything you’re going to watch and listen to through your new home theatre system. Remember to include familiar sources like AM and FM broadcasts, cassette decks, etc. Then think of the newer digital sources. Maybe you have two or more DVD and CD players, a satellite TV box and are thinking about satellite radio in the near future. Then there’s cable TV, maybe a video game or two, a computer link or Internet connection. Once you’ve listed everything you can think of, add another just to be safe. Then look for a processor with enough inputs to handle the sources you’ll be enjoying.

Consider how you’re going to “talk” to the Remote Control

processor. Will you use a hand-held remote controller? Picture : Hand held keypad

Then think about outputs. Will you be routing audio and video to more than one room? What kind of TV will you be using and will it have connections for the best picture? Most of the processor’s outputs, at least those for audio and video signals, will use RCA-style connectors.

Will your processor be used as part of a computer-controlled “whole house” system?

You’ll need to know just a bit about the different connectors some source components use to

If so, some processors provide a computer-style

get signals to your processor. And your processor, in turn, will send different kinds of signals

terminal to make that connection easy.

to other components. All this is really simple when your dealer or installer helps you sort things

Picture : RS-232 port

out. In the meantime, here are the most common types of connectors you’ll see.

Will your processor need to send “wake up” Relax. If this seems a bit intimidating, don’t worry. Again, your dealer or installer will take care of these details for you.

signals to amplifiers that might be located some

But it doesn’t hurt to begin doing a little homework here to help the process along.

distance away? If so, a number of processors can do that, too. Picture : 12v out jacks

surround sound formats

Dolby Pro Logic: This “4.0 “ format was dominant in the analogue surround world. Dolby Pro Logic provides (with the properly encoded sources, of

This is probably the most confusing thing about home theatre systems. That’s because there are now eight

course) Left, Centre, and Right front channels and a single surround channel.

different formats, each claiming different advantages. Here they are: Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II,

However, Pro Logic is a “matrix” format with a certain amount of channel-to-

Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS ES, DTS ES Discrete, and DTS Neo:6.

channel leakage. This flaw is not audible under most circumstances. Pro Logic is still used to decode the audio portions of many videotapes and

As you can see, both Dolby and DTS have several entrants in the Surround Olympics. Here’s a quick overview of these formats on the opposite page.

NTSC television broadcasts.

Dolby Pro Logic II: Is a recently introduced and very sophisticated updating of Pro Logic’s matrix approach to surround sound. It adds stereo surround capability so you can rightly call it a “5.0” format and it features greater channel separation, too. Pro Logic II includes two modes (Movie and Music) that make it very suitable for a number of surround applications that can’t use Dolby Digital or a similar “discrete” technology. Dolby Pro Logic II can

what’s important There’s a lot of discussion (putting it mildly) about the sound quality of various surround sound formats. We think you’ll be very happy with what you’re going to hear from any of them providing your system is properly set up and calibrated. That’s something your dealer or installer will be glad to help with. You should know, however, that roughly 10,000 DVDs are now available, all Dolby Digital encoded. Almost 2,000 of these carry a full “5.1” soundtrack. Compare that to the roughly 200 DVDs encoded with other sur-

dramatically improve the surround performance from videotape.

Dolby Digital: This is the original “5.1” format. It is “discrete” in that channelto-channel separation is total, an important consideration when trying to locate the origin of specific portions of a movie soundtrack. Dolby Digital accounts for the vast majority of all multi-channel software available today and is the industry’s de facto standard for digital surround sound.

round formats. DTS: This Dolby competitor initially promised superior sound because it used less digital compression to convey sound from the dubbing stage (where movie soundtracks are made) to your home. Recent comparisons have proven these claims difficult to defend, especially with DVD, which uses a more compressed version of the original DTS format.

Dolby Digital EX: A Dolby Digital variant, EX adds a third surround channel to Dolby Digital’s two. This extra channel (called Centre Back or Surround Rear, depending on who you ask) is not discrete but is matrixed onto the stereo surround information. Technically, that makes it a “5.1+” format but is commonly – though erroneously – known as a “6.1” format. It gives the sound engineer a more complete audio palette from which to construct a convincing sense of directionality for surround information. You need Dolby Digital EX encoded software, an EX decoder, and an extra rear speaker (or speaker pair) to enjoy the sonic benefits.

DTS Surround ES: A Dolby Digital EX competitor.

THX: It’s not a surround sound format at all even though it is often confused with one. THX is a set of standards and technologies designed to make a home theatre sound more like a movie theatre. As such, it deals with audio signal only after they’ve already been decoded. While generally accepted as legitimate for movie soundtrack reproduction, THX has inspired some controversy in audiophile circles where it is said to compromise music reproduction.

the power amplifier If the processor is the nerve centre of your home theatre system, the power amplifier is its taskmaster. It

Here are some things to look for:

controls the single most important component of your system – the loudspeaker. Speakers do not just passively accept an amplifier’s signal. In fact, they resist it. To complicate things fur-

“RMS” rather than “peak” power

ther, speakers exhibit other characteristics that make them difficult to control. They even generate a signal

Strictly speaking, the term RMS (root mean square, an engineering term you really don’t

that returns to the amplifier!

need to know anything about) shouldn't be used to describe power, only voltage or current, and 'continuous' is more correct, but it has become common practice and it means average,

So how does an amplifier function properly under these conditions? Well, the simple answer is that some

long-term power rather than some specious short-term specification

don’t. Some amplifiers are actually unstable when pushed and severely distort the signal. In extreme cases, an amplifier can literally destroy itself attempting to deliver a signal to a particularly difficult speaker. The answer to these problems lies in the balance between an amplifier’s output stage and its power supply. If the power supply is the beginning of an amplifier’s ultimate capability, it is the output stage that delivers this potential to “real world” loudspeakers. Good power supplies, however, are expensive to build. They ensure that an amplifier can deliver adequate power as each channel – or all of them at once – ask for it. An inadequate supply simply results in distortion, sometimes very severe distortion. What should you look for in an amplifier? First is the ability to drive all of your speakers to levels you are comfortable with. In other words, does an amplifier have enough power and can it deliver its claimed output into many speakers at once? For some, especially those who live in apartments, power output requirements are comparatively modest. For others, those who insist on experiencing the full power of an earthquake in a large room, power needs will be far more substantial. Unfortunately, you’re in a particularly difficult position to judge what’s enough. That’s because most manufacturers rate amplifier power output capabilities differently and “spec comparison” is almost impossible.

Number of channels driven Some manufacturers rate their multi-channel amps with only two of the channels working! This makes it easier to claim more watts per channel. If you’re paying for a multi-channel amplifier, it should develop its rated power into all channels at once!

The range of frequencies (called “bandwidth”) over which an amplifier will produce its rated power Some manufacturers tell you only that an amp will produce, say, 100 watts per channel at 1 kHz, a midrange tone that almost all amplifiers handle well. The real test is how much power an amplifier will develop at the so-called “frequency extremes.” Ideally, an amplifier’s bandwidth will extend from 20 Hz (low bass) to 20 kHz (very high treble.) This 20 Hz – 20 kHz specification is commonly accepted as being within our normal hearing range.

Distortion A good amplifier should not add or detract from the signal it receives from a processor. Any deviation is called distortion and is measured as a percentage of the overall signal. Although lower distortion figures are generally better, anything under 1% is probably inaudible. Today’s technology, however, allows substantially better performance and distortion figures of 0.03% are not uncommon. Again, these distortion measurements should be made with all channels driven.

Impedance Measured in ohms, impedance simply measures a speaker’s resistance to the amplifier’s signal. It’s important only in that different impedance ratings allow a manufacturer to rate a power amplifier differently and some do take advantage of this. For example, an amplifier that develops 75 watts per channel at 8 ohms could be advertised as a “100 watts per channel” model simply by lowering the impedance rating to 6 ohms!

The point here, obviously, is that you need to be careful when comparing amplifier specifications. Here’s something to remember:

A manufacturer who gives you all the information you need to make an informed decision is probably the manufacturer who spends the time designing good products in the first place!

RELAX your specialists - audio/video dealer We’ve covered most home theatre basics in this booklet. We’ve intentionally left out as much jargon as we could. We’ve also left out a lot of detail that, while fascinating to some, is largely unnecessary as you begin to look for your ideal system. Our hope is that this book answered just enough questions so that you feel comfortable asking more. Once again, however, we’ll stress the importance of visiting a specialty audio/video dealer or custom installer. These businesses receive thorough training from many manufacturers and trade organisations.

www.bwspeakers.com

They know their craft and can help you avoid frustrating and potentially expensive mistakes. With their help, you’ll soon have a home theatre system that will fulfil your needs and delight your family and friends.

Enjoy the show!

www.rotel.com

Written by Len Schneider TechniCom Corporation Sponsored by